Cognitive & Behavioral

Beyond convenience: the cognitive and behavioral benefits of cash usage

August, 2026

Abstract While cash is often debated in terms of convenience and legality, this study uncovers its lesser-known cognitive, psychological, and developmental benefits. Drawing from neuroscience, behavioral economics, and pedagogy, we show that cash activates neural pain circuits that inhibit overspending, enhances budgeting skills through tangibility, and plays a foundational role in financial literacy for children. […]

Regulation & AML

Cash and AML: making sure two parallel policy tracks remain coherent

August, 2026

On 10 July 2027, Regulation (EU) 2024/1624 — the EU Anti-Money Laundering Regulation — becomes applicable across all 27 Member States. One of its provisions establishes a uniform EU-wide ceiling of €10,000 on cash transactions for goods and services, with Member States retaining the option to set lower national thresholds. Several already have: Belgium and […]

Mandatory cash acceptance and exceptions

The Netherlands: mandatory acceptance, rising refusals, and the design of exceptions

August, 2026

In June 2025, the Netherlands passed a mandatory cash acceptance obligation — one of the first in the eurozone. Six months later, on 1 January 2026, the same government introduced a prohibition on cash payments for goods above €3,000. Both measures are now in force simultaneously. De Nederlandsche Bank’s most recent annual survey, published in […]

Employment & Retail Automation

The Effect of Self-Checkout on Employment in Spain

August, 2026

Spain employs, on official figures, 195,800 people as cashiers and ticket clerks (CNO-11 code 55) — the 2025 annual average. It is a workforce four out of five of whom are women (158,800, 81%), concentrated overwhelmingly in retail. And for the first time since the pandemic, that number has ticked down: from a peak of […]

European Cash Indicators

European Cash Indicators · Denaria Europe · July 2026

July, 2026

Three measurement instruments for the quarterly monitoring of cash in Europe, designed for use in public communications, media engagement, and institutional positioning. INDEX OF INDICATORSA.  Cash Health Index for Europe (CHIE) · Composite indicator of 5 variables. Country ranking. Quarterly updates.B.  Cash Acceptance Thermometer (CAT) · Real acceptance indicator in retail trade. Traffic-light visualization by […]

Constitutional protection of cash

Switzerland enshrines cash in its Constitution following a referendum

June, 2026

The protection of cash is gaining prominence in Europe amid the growing digitization of payments. In Switzerland, 73% of voters supported the constitutional amendment, which enshrines a guarantee of the availability of cash. At the European level, initiatives such as the Preparedness Strategy recognize cash as a key resource in times of crisis. Taken together, these measures reinforce its role as a strategic element for economic resilience and security.

Critical infrastructure

A context of increasing systemic vulnerability

June, 2026

From Sweden to Cyprus, including the European Central Bank, authorities are increasingly sending the same message: in a climate of uncertainty and digital vulnerability, cash remains essential to ensuring the continuity of payments. They recommend that citizens keep a small amount of cash at home as a basic precaution against potential emergencies.